Monday, December 31, 2012

Okay I had to draw the line… The Pack equals five. I cannot fathom seven Swans a-swimming, even if we are replacing the screen on the pool cage. And having to deal with five quadrupeds fearful of the blasting and booming of fireworks, it will be next to impossible to handle 14 more feet pattering around looking for a place to hide. Happy New Year’s Eve.

15.5 miles completed this morning. My location is on FL-15 N/US-23 N/US-301 N; a couple of rotations north of Swearingen Road. I’ve got 5.1 more miles to the Florida Georgia border. Looks like another goal will be reached on New Year’s Day.

Day 29 also means another goal… my first month on the Schwinn 150. And never thought I would cycle the 359.5 miles. Guess the secret is to set small goals; those that are easily attainable… with a wee bit of work. And my stats are as follows:

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

359.5

2,941.5

10.89%

5,639.8

172.2

Last night’s supper was grouper fillet in butter and garlic, roasted broccoli, potato salad, and homemade bread. My weight has maintained pretty much level thus far through the Holiday season.

James buys a used plane. Fog is a norm of the British Isles. James plus plane plus fog; you get the picture. Upstairs, Downstairs plot structure: exposition, rising action, climax… and then.

Check out Quilts SB for the update and current progress of our current quilting projects. Also take some time to explore A Genealogy Hunt. Methinks, I have received some information on a Smith Ancestral connection.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

This morning I increased my Schwinn 150 mileage to 15.5 miles. I now only have an odd 2,957.0 miles to go to reach my direct Tampa to Seattle goal. I have also now reached just over 10% of my total goal… Yeah!!!

My location is at Lem Turner Road (FL-115 N) toward Spring Lake Drive. And according to Google Maps I standing still in traffic waiting for the go ahead from a signal person ahead, as we are reduced to one-lane. I have about 21 miles left to the Florida Georgia State border.

And in the oven is a loaf of no-knead bread. It’s a start back into my bread-making past. Gonna try to make one batch every other day. I figured I can cycle the extra calories off.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

My location this morning, as accounted for by Google Maps for Jim’s Trek, is 667 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, Florida.

Thanks Bob for warning me about the ferry north of Mayport. I caught it early this morning. Didn’t need the pontoons.

After 328.5 miles on my Tampa to Seattle Trek I have now about 287 miles to reach my next Interlake address point goal. It looks like, all-things-being-equal; I shall arrive at my next goal point on Friday, January 18, 2013.

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

328.5

2,972.5

9.95%

5,670.8

170.0

Been wondering about Max, our new puppy… He’s still on track to get fit and trim. The wiener-schnitzel tube that arrived this house a couple of months ago seems to have gradually disappeared. And it is a wonder as he follows and mimics Radar in many of his mannerisms. Even when he has to pee, Max sneaks his way between Radar’s leg and a tree. He wants to target the exact location.

Here he’s trying to determine exactly what a legless mouse is.

And now that WWI is over, Upstairs, Downstairs turns to the local battles of politics.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Two milestones, so-to-speak, in Jim’s Trek this morning. I reached just over the 300 mile mark and I passed by my 7th Interlake address goal.

The Interlake address goal is actually Interlake LLC in St. Augustine, Florida. I can't find the actual office location of the Interlake company. And nary a Schwinn 150 is located, but I am here.. I just keep cycling on by.

This morning I completed my 15.0 miles. I am now located on Florida State Road A1A travelling north toward Perimeter Road. There’s salt marsh on both my left and right sides. I’m at the southwest end of the Naval Station, Mayport.

Today I clocked 313.4 miles.

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

313.4

2,987.6

9.49%

5,685.9

170.0

And the Upstairs, Downstairs question this morning who will now be the Upstairs to the over-staffed Downstairs? Will Major James sell 165 Eaton Place? Will…?

Tomorrow I should be just north of Jacksonville headed for the Florida Georgia States border.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

On the 3rd day of Christmas my legs continued another 15.0 miles; my total to date 298.4 miles. And I still have just under 90% of my total Tampa to Seattle 3,301 miles to go. My location is 1740 Florida A1A or Ponte Vedra Boulevard, north of St. Augustine. I’m 9.0 miles from my next Interlake address location and about 65 miles from the Florida Georgia border.

My stats -

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

298.4

3,002.6

9.04%

5,700.9

171.4

Last night I went to Boizao for a birthday supper… Of the six tables filled, three had infants, actually babies, as a part of the parties. Not the type of restaurant I would consider taking a very, very young child. And then again I was amazed that of the maybe, 20 patrons, more than half were each eating for three persons.

But it wasn’t until I exited the restaurant that I was taken aback by one hilarious bright yellow billboard advertisement only 20 feet staring at the front door.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

I hope everyone had a very good Christmas Day… and did not spend too much time gorging yourselves. Well Happy Boxing Day. Today is the day to recover and think of all the possible culinary stroke of genius that one can create with the leftovers.

Today I finished my 15.0 miles; total to date on Day 24 is 283.4 miles, 8.6% of my Tampa to Seattle goal. I am certainly convinced, almost, that I have committed myself to this total Trek.

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

283.4

3,017.6

8.59%

5,715.9

170.4

I’m still in the State of Florida. My location is heading north toward Lewis Blvd. on South Ponce de Leon Blvd. in St. Augustine. I did NOT break that stop sign… but it is the point of my 15.0 miles this morning. The San Sebastian River is on my right hand side.

Check out LE CAFÉ… How many nationalities? In 2007 this location was empty and in 2011 Le Café was open. It is amazing how one can follow the short history of a location via the photos on Google Maps.

This morning’s Upstairs Downstairs episode’s theme was cowardice during war. In the short time, the producers attempted to present as much as time would allow. Interesting…

Tomorrow morning I should pass by the Fountain of Youth Park. Maybe I’ll stop by for a drink on my way to my 7th Interlake address goal.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

I’ve got my bells on my Schwinn 150 and it is Christmas day. Merry Christmas! Today I crossed over the St. John’s River via the Memorial Bridge at Palatka in Putnam County, Florida.

This morning, Christmas Day, I cycled my 15 miles passed Hastings, Florida. Hastings is a small town with a recorded population on the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau of 607. Hastings is known as the “Potato Capital of Florida”.

I have reached 8.13% of my Tampa to Seattle goal; total miles 268.4.

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

268.4

3,032.6

8.13%

5,730.9

170.4

Christmas Eve lunch was at Restaurante La Pequeña Colombia: meat pies; chicharrón, arepa, and corn cakes; roast pork, peas, and rice; and steak Milanesa. Dessert - flan and fig cake. Todo era muy, muy bueno. And to tone it down, a wee bit, for supper I made French onion soup, made with four types of onions, smothered in Gruyère cheese. Ever so good. Believe it or not, I dropped 0.2 lbs.

Upstairs, Downstairs episode emphasizes the control that money has on all lives.

Monday, December 24, 2012

On my Schwinn 150, my location on Christmas Eve is at East Crill Avenue, west of Palaka, Florida. FL-20 E/Crill Ave/NW State Road 20 E west of Palaka, Florida. And yes I am headed west to my next Interlake address. It is north of St. Augustine, Florida.

My total miles to date are now 253.4 miles. I have completed 7.7% of my Seattle goal. Accordingly at my current rate of 15 miles per day I will complete my Tampa to Seattle goal by July 16, 2013. With the addition of the Interlake address goals I’m not sure where in the United States I will be on July 16. Taking my Tampa via Interlake address goals to Seattle I will reach Seattle by January 12, 2014.

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

253.4

3,047.6

7.68%

5,745.9

170.6

On my route this morning I passed a billboard advertising online contact cremations… We have come a long way since 1964 when Bell announced, sort of a bomb, the PicturePhone Service. Today, almost 50 years later we are using Skype on our PCs and notebooks… and visual connections on our phones and tablets. What’s next?

A bomb causes damage and misses 165 Eaton Place on Upstairs, Downstairs episode.

The above inserted image of a cycle tree is from Kulshan Cycles in Bellingham, Washington…

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Another 15.0 miles on Jim’s Trek, on my Schwinn 150, at 10.9 miles this morning I reach my 5th Interlake Goal – Interlachen, Florida. My location is at Prospect Avenue and Washington Street.

I continue the additional 4.1 miles and arrive at Interlachen Blvd just west of Georgette Street. This sort of is a 6th Interlake/Interlachen Goal. The little Google map guy does not appear to have created a street view on a dirt road.

My total Trek miles are now 238.4. My weight has increased by 1.6 lbs… hopefully muscle. It is the Christmas season. My stats are:

Total Direct Miles to Seattle

To Date

TD Miles Remaining

% TD Miles Completed

Interlake Miles Left to Seattle

Weight (lbs)

3,301.0

238.4

3,062.6

7.22%

5,760.9

171.6

The New Year bells chime in 1917 this episode of Upstairs, Downstairs. It appears that the issue of possible mental trauma to service and civilian persons, due to the atrocities of war is introduced.

It looks like my next Interlake Goal is somewhere in St. Augustine, Florida. Stay tuned and follow my Trek. And now to wrap some Christmas presents.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Only 3,077.6 miles left on my first Schwinn 150 goal to Seattle… and this morning I traveled 15.0 miles on my way north through the Ocala National Forest. And I have 5,775.9 miles to complete my scenic Interlake route goal.

I’m on County Road 310 heading west toward Interlachen, Florida. My morning location is north east of Lake Ocklawaha and south of Cross Florida Greenway. My Day 20 total mileage is 223.4 miles.

Miles to Seattle

To Date

Miles Remaining

% Completed

3,301

223.4

3,077.6

6.77%

I’m two seconds from Camp Hog Waller… So my type of place… and I can image my Schwinn 150 right in the midst of the celebrations.

And I had to learn about hog wallers. From the Urban Dictionary, believe or not, the definition of a hog waller states “A filthy, muddy hole frequented by undesirable folks or stinking, crap-encrusted hogs who wallow in the smelly muck with delight; An unusually disgusting place; A shithole from which normal people want to keep a respectable distance.” No comment… I’m sure the partakers are having a good time.

War loss is the theme of this morning’s episode of Upstairs, Downstairs.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Well it’s tomorrow in Australia and the Mayan-end-of-the-calendar-equals-end-of-the-world –purveyors were WRONG. Must have been really frustrated, for this dude to take the extreme mode of protection, for nothing.

After 19 days I’m now wounded in action. Blisters on my butt… saddle sores? Never expected this, but I guess it goes with the territory, or should I say with my Schwinn 150. But with extra protective padding I completed my 14.0 miles this morning. Guess we could quilt a butt pad.

Starting from my stopping point yesterday on FL-19 N, I head 14.0 miles north. I’m still in the Ocala National Forest. I have reached the intersection of FL-19 N, East Creek 316 and NE 142 Pl Road.

I have now reached 208.4 miles, 6.31% of my 3,301 mile goal.

Miles to Seattle

To Date

Miles Remaining

% Completed

3,301

208.4

3,092.6

6.31%

Supper last night Sanbeji ( 三要祭 ), Three Cup Chicken. It was my first attempt. Chicken thighs, soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil, ginger, chili peppers, and basil. Served on steamed basmati rice with green onions, it was fantastic. So easy to make and I will definitely try this recipe again.

This morning's Upstairs Downstairs episode presents the eve of a major WWI battle in France. The question is "Who's contract has not been renewed?" Stay-tuned.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Closing in on 200 miles on my Schwinn 150. Total to date 194.4 miles, and I’m still on my way to Interlachen, Florida.

This morning I left from the intersection of Jerico Road and SR FL 40 somewhere south east of Lake George. I head 11 miles west along SR-40 W and then turn north on FL-19 N for an additional 3.0 miles. My day’s 14.0 miles takes me into, I believe, the Ocala National Forest. I am now at the south west end of Lake George. Accordingly I have about 40 more miles to Interlachen, my 5th Interlake address goal.

My only company this morning on the vacant highway is the ghost of Google Mapping car past.

And my stats are:

Miles to Seattle

To Date

Miles Remaining

% Completed

3,301

194.4

3,106.6

5.89%

Upstairs, Downstairs is still in the throes of World War I, and everyone is attempting to his/her part. The Ladies of Upstairs have decided to throw tea parties for wounded officers. And listening in on a conversation had me chortling on my Schwinn 150.

Richard: “Prudence has called to see both of us.”

Lady Prudence: “On a mission of some urgency.”

Richard: “Prudence, would you like to have a glass of sherry?”

Lady Prudence: “No thank you, Richard. I’m trying to give it up as an example.”

Richard: “To whom?”

Lady Prudence: “To everyone! I mean, to the nation.”

Richard: “Well there isn’t anyone here except us.”

Lady Prudence: “Then I’ll have a glass of sherry. Thank you.”

Only 5,804.9 miles to go on my ultimate goal… Blood sugar and weight maintained.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

This morning’s Trek, on my way to Interlachen, Florida turns to the left west at the intersection of 17 and 40. My 14 miles reached Jerico Road and State Road FL40. I wave to the motorcyclist as he passes by.

I’m now using a new updated version of Google Maps. I’ve got to learn the new pluses and idiosyncrasies.

My 17th day Trek mileage is now at 180.4 miles. I’ve accomplished 5.47% of my 3,301 Seattle goal. Only 3,120.6 miles of my original goal to go. At this rate I will have finished my 3,301 mileage goal by Tuesday, July 30, 2013. Just remember I have increased, almost doubled the mileage by adding the Interlake address goals.

And I received a wonderful new gift for my Christmas birthday… Finally got one that works! And of course my subjects, The Pack, take it all in stride.

Upstairs Downstairs – Flash – Everyone is trying to his or her part for the War effort… I wonder if the screen writers were wondering about the psychology of persons as each handles the upheaval. Or just something to fill an episode??

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Two weeks and two days into my Schwinn 150 Trek. One hundred and sixty-six point four miles completed. And today I reached my 4th Interlake Address Goal, the intersection of Interlake Avenue and Lake Winnemisett Drive in Deland, Florida. And of course I thought I might be near, Passamaquoddy. Just a hop, skip and a jump from Maine to Florida, via a flying dragon. Eh, Pete?

There’s no 4216 on Interlake Avenue in Deland as the end of this dirt road continues on to what appears to be a woods.

Continuing on this morning of my 13.5 miles I have arrived at the intersection of North Woodland Boulevard and East Anita Street, north of Deland, Florida. My next destination is Interlachen, Florida. To date I have cycled 166.4 miles, 5.04% of my Seattle goal.

Miles to Seattle

To Date

Miles Remaining

% Completed

3,301

166.4

3,134.6

5.04%

Supper tonight – Basa filets on tatsoi and red onion with a side of pommes de terre boulangère. And my weight is maintained.

The source of today’s episode of Upstairs Downstairs is the midst of World War I.

Monday, December 17, 2012

And my Schwinn 150 Trek from Tampa to Seattle continues… 13 miles this morning. No weight gain and stabilized blood sugar count. There appears to be a bit more definition to my legs. Trying to sweat down my AARP stomach. I wonder if there will be a discernible change when I reach my final 3,301 miles.

My 13.0 miles has me stopped at the Veteran’s Memorial Highway moving north to my next Interlake destination at Deland, Florida. Lonely road, aka highway, and I’ve reached the intersection of a road with no name, something akin to…

On the first part of the journey,
I was looking at all the life.
There were plants and birds, and rocks and things,
There was sand and hills and rings.

Don’t have to worry about meeting a fly with a buzz in my house on my Schwinn 150.

I stumbled upon an interesting book, The Art of Eating In, How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove by Cathy Erway, and published 2010. It is similar to Julie Powell’s 2006 Julie & Julia, My Year of Cooking Dangerously. Just up my alley, blogging and cooking.

Last night’s supper was Grilled Chicken Couscous Salad… and made at home. Leftover KFC grilled chicken, out of my pantry and refrigerator – couscous, chicken broth, black olives, roasted red peppers, hard-boiled eggs, ripe Key Limes from the yard, peperoncini, fresh parsley and green onions from Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm, salt and pepper. Took me about 30 minutes to prepare… and there are some leftovers. Maybe my next stop, Chopped?

And it is official… Max is a bona-fide addition to The Pack.

Dear Jim Smith, Andy Brunhammer,

Congratulations on adopting your new friend, Max, from St. Francis Animal Rescue. Thank you for giving a deserving animal a loving home and a new lease on a happy life. We hope you enjoy the addition to your family!

St. Francis Animal Rescue

There are Hessian spies under beds and in linen closets, perceived in this morning’s chapter of Upstairs Downstairs. The Lusitania; a death two days after landing; and Hudson becomes a local constable…

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Today’s trek was 13.0 miles. I’m now on West Seminole Boulevard at the entrance of Central Florida Regional Hospital. On my right hand is Lake Monroe, Florida. My total mileage to date is now 139.9 miles… Two weeks and I have accomplished 4.24% of my 3,301 miles; only 3,161.1 more to go.

I am on my way to my next Interlake address at Deland, Florida.

Miles to Seattle

To Date

Miles Remaining

% Completed

3,301

139.9

3,161.1

4.24%

Question – If The Pack has so many toys and dog chews to preoccupy their minds and teeth, why do they insist on heading to and ripping apart the dead plant sitting in the pot on the patio?

This morning The Pack, minus Miss Taylor, were not too pleased that their beds were all piled up on the patio. It was cleaning day at Interlake Drive. It was a free-for-all sunbake on Mount Kilimanjaro…

The next episode of Upstairs Downstairs had soldiers returning home on leave. Question was the British Home Office correct?

Saturday, December 15, 2012

This morning I zipped right by my 3rd Interlake goal on my 12.7 miles. Actually it is the Interlachen Country Club and the gatekeeper wouldn’t allow me, or Google Maps to enter past the gate, without a membership. The entrance is on Interlachen Court just off of Lake Howell Road.

I am always trying to understand the derivation of words, but I cannot seem to find, at this point, from what Interlachen is derived. I know it looks like Interlake and so I using it as one of the alternative spellings to attach to my goals.

This morning my 12.7 miles ferries me to East Altamonte Drive at Grassy Lake.

Today’s total 126.9 miles. This morning I burned 291 calories. Even though my primary goal is to cycle a total of 3,301 miles from Tampa to Seattle I know that I will be adding tangential miles when I include my secondary goals of reaching the Interlake addresses. I have calibrated and adjusted each of my Interlake goals to now add them to my overall total. My total goal to Seattle, include the Interlake goals that I have added thus far is 5,999 miles.

At my today’s rate of 12.7 miles I will reach the total 5,999 miles to Seattle on March 23, 2014. I have added an additional four months to my complete goal. I wonder where I will be at my 3,301 mile goal.

Miles to Seattle

To Date

Miles Remaining

% Completed

3,301

126.9

3,174.1

3.84%

Upstairs Downstairs introduces Belgian refugees to 165 Eaton Place. Language barriers and Edward has to make a decision provide the dramatic innuendos.

Three quilts are going to their new homes today… Check Quilts SB for updates and for the new wall hanging project we’ve begun.